October 2001 - Monthly Fatality Report

Department of Public Safety officials report a decrease of 36 traffic fatalities in October for a
total of 46, compared to 70 in the same month last year.

Two of the 46 victims were pedestrians which leaves the total of those killed in other vehicle
crashes at 44. The highest daily numbers included 10 deaths on Sundays, dropping to eight on
both Wednesdays and Saturdays. There were nine deathless days in the month.

Seven of the vehicle crashes were alcohol-related in the opinion of the investigating state, county or
municipal officer. There were 27 male and 19 female victims, and all of the fatalities were residents
of Oklahoma.

The leading number of deaths by age group was 13 in the 21- to 30-year age group, dropping to eight
in the 41- to 50-year-old group. Mayes County led the state with a fatality count of six followed by
four in both Oklahoma and Tillman Counties.

Seventy-three percent of those who died in traffic crashes were not wearing safety belts at the time of the
crash, according to DPS statistics. The leading cause of fatal traffic crashes continues be unsafe speed
with a total of 18 deaths. Six people died due to the driver failing to stop or yield, and four deaths
were caused by the driver traveling left of center.